A once-controversial K-pop icon, who left fans in disbelief with her striking transformation, has now openly acknowledged undergoing cosmetic surgery.

Park Bom, now 41, rose to stardom in 2009 as a key member of the iconic South Korean girl group 2NE1.

For years, speculation surrounded the singer regarding her altered appearance, and this week she addressed the rumors in an unusually candid social media post.

Bom revealed that she financed her own cosmetic procedures during her tenure with YG Entertainment, expressing a desire to avoid appearing ordinary on stage, according to reports from the Korean outlet Chosun.

As her looks evolved, she claimed that she became a target for ridicule within her label, who used her as a cautionary tale against plastic surgery.

Bom has since threatened a bizarre lawsuit against YG Entertainment worth USD$4.5 quadrillion.

After posting about the lawsuit on social media, her current talent agency D Nation issued a statement dismissing her allegations.

‘This is D Nation Entertainment. All settlements related to Park Bom’s 2NE1 activities have already been completed, and there is no record that the complaint uploaded to social media was ever filed,’ they wrote.

K-pop star Park Bom from the girl group 2NE1 has finally confessed to having plastic surgery

The 41-year-old looked unrecognizable during a performance in August of this year

‘Park Bom has halted all activities and is focusing on treatment and recovery. We will do our utmost to help the artist regain her health.’

This isn’t the first time that Bom has suffered health issues.

After reuniting with 2NE1 last year for a sold-out world tour, the singer abruptly left the group in August of this year, leaving her remaining three bandmates to continue promoting without her.

‘Following medical advice to prioritize rest and stability, we reached this difficult decision after thorough discussion,’ her agency said at the time.

Back in April, Bom horrified her longtime fans after sharing a series of bizarre selfies to social media.

In the images, the 41-year-old’s features looked completely distorted and misshapen.

Her eyes appeared to droop down in an unnatural shape, while her lips – which were smeared with lipstick – giving her an over-exaggerated smile. 

It was difficult to tell if the 2NE1 singer had further altered her appearance through surgery or if she was just using filters, but fans in the comment section seemed concerned.

Bom confessed to paying for her own procedures because she didn’t want to ‘go on stage looking like a commoner’ when she debuted in the industry. (Pictured 2013)

Back in April, Bom horrified her longtime fans after sharing a series of bizarre selfies to social media

‘Queen Bommie, please stop editing your face with those filters, you’re so pretty, they’re unnecessary,’ wrote one.

‘What the hell has she done to her face?’ asked another.

The troubled star’s evolving appearance has been a hot topic in South Korea for more than a decade now. 

But despite constant speculation that she may have tweaked her looks over the years, Bom previously denied having plastic surgery.

She’s chalked some of the changes in her appearance down to weight gain, which is caused by lymphadenitis – a condition which can cause her face to swell.

The Don’t Cry hitmaker also said that it’s hard for her to maintain a diet because she suffers from ADD (attention deficit disorder).

In 2020, her record label denied speculation that she’d had surgery after she looked noticeably different during a public appearance.

Bom looked much different than her old self during a performance with 2NE1 earlier this year

The K-pop hitmaker is pictured in 2010 (left) and during a recent performance in August (right)

‘Some people say she got plastic surgery, but that’s not the case,’ they said.

The label also said that she was suffering from stress which had caused weight gain.

‘She has had a hard time for a while due to stress,’ they explained. 

‘So, we assured her to just be comfortable until her next album comes out. This has led to a slight weight gain which affected her facial feature as well.’  

The songstress first shot to fame in 2009 as part of the K-pop girl group 2NE1.

The quartet became one of the most successful acts in South Korean history and Bom went on to have a number of chart-topping solo singles.

South Korea is known for having some of the strictest beauty standards in the world, and is revered for its cutting-edge plastic surgery procedures and skincare. 

Some of the most common physical features considered beautiful in the country include a V-line jaw, pale skin, double eyelids, a thin high nose, and a small face.

According to statistics, nearly 25 per cent of women aged 19 to 29 in South Korea have undergone plastic surgery.

The unrealistic beauty standards in the country have since sparked backlash, particularly from feminist groups.